So what do we do to make our muscles strong? Few people take up excercises and a few go for supplementary diets and medicines to build up their weak muscles.

Of all the methods that are being used to build up strong muscles, yoga has been rightly found as the best method to strengthen the muscles. Parighasana is one such yoga asana which helps to strengthen the muscles.

The word Parighasana comes from the Sanskrit word 'Parigha' which means an iron beam that is used to lock the gate and 'Asana' which means pose.

This asana helps in proper oxygen circulation to all parts of the body. The muscles that connect the ribs also gets stretched. This asana is not very tough and can be performed by beginners as well. Check out the step-wise method to perform Parighasana.

Step-by-step Procedure To Perform Parighasana:

1. Kneel down on a mat; see to it that the top of your feet rest flat on the mat.

2. Stretch one of your legs out and come up on one of your knees.

3. The kneeling knee should be exactly under the hip of the same leg.

4. The kneeling leg and the leg which is stretched should be in the same line.

5. Stretch one of your arms over the head. Your arm should be beside your ear. Take a deep breath.

6. The other hand should rest either on the thigh, ankle or foot.

7. Hold on to the pose for sometime.

8. Take a deep breath and release.

9. Repeat the same with the other leg.

Other Benefits Of Parighasana:

Helps stimulate lungs and abdominal organs.Helps stretch hamstrings and calves.Helps open the chest and the shoulders.Helps calm the nerves.Helps clean the circulatory system. Helps improve digestion.

Caution:

Those who have a knee injury or neck pain should be cautious while performing this asana. It is always best to consult a trained yoga instructor.